Learning Mobility to Italy may 27 – 30, 2025

Led by Puhastusekspert, another inspiring and substantive Erasmus+ learning mobility took place from May 27–30, 2025, with Milan, Italy as its destination this time.

Participants in the learning mobility included P.Dussmann, Eesti Liinirongid AS, Tartu Rakenduslik Kolledž, Uma Puhastus OÜ, Viljandi Haigla AS, Elva Haigla AS, SOL Baltics OÜ, North Estonian Medical Centre, Tartu Health Care College, and Arkaadia Puhastus OÜ. The learning mobility was supported by Erasmus+ consortium learning mobility projects no. 2023-1-EE01-KA121-VET-000133792 and 2024-1-EE01-KA121-VET-000236654.

The aim of the learning mobility was to gain an overview of the practices, technologies, organization of sustainable procurement, and work arrangements in the Italian cleaning sector, to understand how cleaning companies are managed sustainably, and how infection control is ensured in Italy. Furthermore, it aimed to expand international contacts and bring best practices to the development of the Estonian cleaning sector by developing the competencies of cleaning sector trainers.

How does cleaning differ in Italy?

A peculiarity of the Italian cleaning sector is that the market largely features machines, supplies, and paper products manufactured in Italy. Professional associations include both cleaning service providers and manufacturers. There is a recognized need to develop the sector by training both manufacturers and service providers together. Significant steps are being taken in the development of cleaning to ensure that the competencies for various cleaning service positions are standardized across Italy and more broadly in Europe. For this purpose, there is an excellent unified system, the European Qualification Framework, which is not currently in use in Italy but is being strived for. We are proud to say that the same system has been in use in Estonia for over 20 years, and in this regard, we can advise organizations in Italy. Read more about EQF qualification awarding here.

ISSA Pulire 2025 – Europe’s Leading Cleaning Exhibition

The ISSA Pulire exhibition in Milan was one of the most important parts of the learning mobility. It is one of Europe’s largest exhibitions for professional cleaning services and technologies, where, in addition to product and equipment presentations, we also participated in seminars, workshops, and conference presentations. The most interesting topics included cleaning ergonomics, optimization of work methods, measuring and improving cleaning efficiency, air purity and ventilation requirements, innovative cleaning solutions, cleaning procurement requirements in Italy, and the implementation of ESG principles in the cleaning sector.

Innovation in Cleaning

At the ISSA Pulire exhibition, the winners of the cleaning innovation awards were honored, and our consortium also decided to choose its favorites. Here is the top five:

5. Ergotec Window Cleaning Gloves
Window cleaning gloves that keep hands dry and warm even in cold conditions. Rubber details ensure a firm grip, and the design combines comfort and functionality.
Consortium comment: The gloves do not get wet inside and are very comfortable. We particularly liked that hands stay warm during window cleaning. Although the gloves are thick, this does not make working uncomfortable.

4. Unger Green Label accessories for glass cleaning
The first certified sustainable accessory series for professional glass cleaning. The products hold C2C Material Health Certificate™ Silver, EU Ecolabel, and FSC Mix Credit certifications. High quality and environmental friendliness are combined with professional needs.
Consortium comment: A well-thought-out product series where each accessory has its purpose. The design is appealing and functional.

3. Makita PS001GZ Cordless Floor Care Machine
A very light (under 2 kg) machine that allows cleaning in places where large machines cannot reach – ideal for cleaning stairs and even walls.
Consortium comment: Impressed with its powerful 40V battery, compact design, and adjustable telescopic handle. Speed regulation, soft start, and LED lighting make operation smooth and professional. A wireless, powerful, ergonomic, and versatile tool suitable for various fields.

2. DRYFT Floor Scrubber
The world’s first S-Motion floor scrubber-dryer, which cleans up to 100 m² in just 3.9 minutes. Efficient cleaning is achieved with a vibration frequency of 4200 rpm. The patented cleaning handle gives a mopping sensation during use.
Consortium comment: A small and compact machine, well-suited for hard-to-reach areas. Comfortable to use and gives a mopping sensation.

1. I-Walk Co-Botic – our consortium’s favorite and innovation award winner
Can transform the I-mop into a robot. Highly efficient – up to 700 m² cleaned with a single charge. Easy to set up and a sleek design.
Consortium comment: I-Walk impressed with its smart sensor technology, enabling autonomous and precise navigation. It does not replace the worker but supports them – by reducing physical strain and taking over routine tasks. The worker can focus on more meaningful tasks, which increases job significance and motivation. Innovation lies not only in technology but also in a new approach to human-machine collaboration.

Additionally, we had the opportunity to shadow at several large companies, such as Kiehl, Unger, Cartiere Carrara, and Sprintus. During the shadowing, we tested various cleaning supplies and machines and confirmed their effectiveness. We also had the chance to try different cleaning methods and compare processes in Estonia and Italy. The opportunity to ask questions and get answers directly from the source was a great help.

Job Shadowing at San Raffaele Hospital

Milan’s San Raffaele Hospital was one of the highlights of our learning mobility. It is one of Italy’s largest and most prestigious private hospitals, where we observed the entire cleaning cycle organization, from preparation in the cleaning room, cleaning of general areas and operating rooms, to the completion of cleaning tasks. San Raffaele Hospital, founded in 1971, is a research hospital and the polyclinic of Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, offering specialized treatment for the most complex health problems, and was recognized in 1972 as an institute for diabetes research and treatment. This hospital has over 60 specialized clinical units and receives 1.9 million patients annually. The hospital’s cleaning practices were of a high standard but differed somewhat from those used in Estonia. For example, pre-wetting textiles, wetting bottles, or pre-cleaning mops before washing in a washing machine are not used. At San Raffaele Hospital, there was a strong dedication to patient satisfaction – patients should feel as if they are in a hotel and also receive first-class medical care.

Interesting Insights from the Learning Mobility:

Cleaning is often a cultural topic – there are significant differences in cleaning practices across various countries. In reality, cleaning is a science; decision-making must be data-driven, and dirt removal should be a conscious activity. This requires international cooperation and common knowledge-based training. We need common principles and rules, as the desire to be efficient is shared. It is necessary to rely on a goal that creates VALUE.
Sectoral training needs updating; there are more robots and AI, while the conceptualization of cleaning and its value also requires a new perspective.
Experience and studies show that longer training courses make people happy and create more value, as people start acting more consciously. Implementing changes takes time; with short training, change implementation lacks systematic support.
In training and developing the sector, there is a challenge: how to make people proud of their work, understand its value, want to learn, how to engage the new generation, and where to find resources for teaching.
Customer awareness is a key issue! The sector needs appropriate ways to train clients.
Cleaning is a well-being service, on which a person’s well-being, health, and sometimes even life often depend. We are affected by unseen dirt, such as microorganisms and air purity. Here, measurements are particularly important in decision-making; in the absence of data, speculative decisions are made, which are neither sustainable nor appropriate.
To involve the younger generation in the cleaning sector, it is necessary to explain WHY cleaning is important and what role it plays in our daily lives.
Each country has its own practices for removing dirt. We do not need to argue about what cloth or brush someone uses. It is important to focus on achieving the desired cleanliness as a result of the activity, rather than just spreading dirt around.
The goal is not for cleaning supplies to be eco-labeled. The goal is to achieve cleanliness efficiently while saving resources (labor, supplies, cleaning agents).

Autor: Jaanika Kasemets